Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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TITLE OF THE INVENTION:
POLYGON-SHAPED HOUSE
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1) Field of the Invention:
This invention relates to a polygon-shaped house of
a structure simple in framework and capable of construct-
ing with ease.
2) Description of the Related Art:
In general, conventional houses, particularly,
wooden houses are essentially square or rectangular in
shapes of their foundation frames and beam frames. Such
houses hence require auxiliary beams for reinforcing the
beam frames so as to sufficiently bear dead loads
inherent in their roofs and so-called snow loads (loads
added to the roofs due to snow and the like).
Described specifically, in a conventional typical
house, as illustrated in FIGS. 11, 12 and 13, a
foundation frame 90 in the form of a square or rectangle
is horizontally supported on a foundation not depicted.
Four columns 92 in total are provided upright
respectively at their corresponding vertices of the
foundation frame 90. Moreover, a beam frame 93 in the
same shape as that of the foundation frame 90 is
connected at its vertices to the upper ends of its
corresponding columns 92, so that the beam frame 93 is
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provided in parallel to the foundation frame 90. In
addition, a plurality of auxiliary beams 95 are
connectedly provided at a suitable interval so as to
bridge between beam elements 93A and 93B parallel to each
other, which extend in the longitudinal direction of the
beam frame 93, whereby the beam frame 93 is reinforced.
Numerals 96, 97 and 98 indicate a purlin, a king post and
an angle rafter respectively.
Namely, the roof load P (including dead load and
snow load) will exert strong force F on the beam elements
93A and 93B parallel to each other, which extend in the
longitudinal direction of the beam frame 93, in their
external directions expanding and widening to each other
as illustrated in FIGS. 14(A) and 14(B). Therefore, if
the auxiliary beams 95 should be nonexistent, it is
impossible to provide sufficiently high strength. The
beam frame 93 will hence be damaged and/or broken. The
provision of the auxiliary beams will however ensure
strength capable of sufficiently withstanding the force
F.
However, since the provision of plural auxiliary
beams in the beam frame is required for such conventional
houses, there are problems that their structures become
complex, their construction takes much time, and moreover
the rise in construction cost is brought about.
In addition, the existence of the auxiliary beams
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within the beam frame is accompanied by a problem that the
entirety of a relatively wide space within the beam frame
cannot be used as one space.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has been made with a foregoing
in view and has as its object the provision of a
polygon-shaped house simple in framework, easy in
construction and sufficiently high in strength.
Another object of this invention is to provide a
polygon-shaped house unnecessary to provide any auxiliary
beams in a beam frame and hence allowing to utilize a wide
space within the beam frame as is.
In an aspect of this invention, there is thus
provided a polygon-shaped house comprising a foundation
frame formed of at least six linear foundation elements
and having a symmetrical polygonal shape; columns the
lower ends of which are connected to the foundation frame
so as to stand upright respectively at vertices of the
foundation frame; an upper frame disposed over and
parallel with the foundation frame, formed of linear beam
elements and having a polygonal shape similar to that of
the foundation frame, said upper frame being connected at
its vertices to the upper ends of the corresponding
columns; angle rafters whose lower end portions are
connected to the upper frame respectively at the vertices
8
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of that frame and whose upper ends extend obliquely and
upwardly toward a position over the center of the upper
frame in such a manner that they meet there; and a weighty
post member supported by the upper ends of the angle
rafters, said upper ends being connected to the weighty
post member, and exerting by its own weight a downward
force on the upper ends of the angle rafters; each upper
end of the angle rafters being mortised into the periphery
of the weighty post member.
In addition to the above-described structure, an
intermediate beam frame may be constructed at the level
between the foundation frame and the beam frame so as to
run parallel to the foundation frame and supported by
columns so as to have the same polygonal shape as the
foundation frame. In this case, a floor face for a second
story can be provided along the intermediate beam frame.
The foundation frame and the upper frame or the beam
frame and the additional intermediate beam frame
preferably have an octagonal shape having vertices at a
total of eight points, each of which divides each side of
a square into three equal parts.
Owing to the above-described structure, since both
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foundation frame and beam frame have a symmetrical
polygonal shape of at least hexagon and the upper ends of
the angle rafters, whose lower end portions are connected
to the beam frame at their corresponding vertices, are
connected commonly to the weighty post member, the force
F exerted on the beam frame due to the load of the roof
is symmetrically broken up into at least six directions
in total. The force, which is received by each beam
element, hence becomes significantly weak. As a result,
it is unnecessary to provide any auxiliary beams for
reinforcing the beam frame. In addition, it is possible
to simplify the structure of a house and hence to
facilitate the construction of the house.
In addition, since the auxiliary beams become
needless as described above, it is possible to utilize
the entirety of a wide space within the beam frame as is.
According to this invention, since the force due to
the load of the roof is exerted on the beam elements of
the beam frame in a state that the force is symmetrically
broken up into a plurality of directions owing to the
specific structure, the force, which is received by each
of the beam elements, becomes significantly weak.
Therefore, it is unnecessary to provide any auxiliary
beams in the beam frame. Accordingly, it is possible to
simplify the structure of the house and hence to
facilitate the construction of the house. As a result,
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the cost of construction can be reduced. In addition,
since sufficiently high strength can be provided as a
whole, it is unnecessary to provide any columns in the
interior. A wide internal space is hence provided.
Moreover, by connecting the upper ends of the angle
rafters, whose lower end portions have been connected to
the beam frame, to the weighty post member so as to
support the weighty post member, sufficiently high
strength can be provided in a structure formed of three
members of the weighty post member, angle rafters and beam
frame even when a simple connecting means is used. In
particular, this effect is surely achieved by controlling
the slope of each angle rafter to the horizontal plane to
60 degrees or lower.
Furthermore, by forming both foundation frame and
beam frame into an octagonal shape having vertices at a
total of eight points, each pair of adjacent vertices
divides each side of a square formed by extending the
segments defined by four pairs of vertices such that the
four extended segments intersect, into three equal parts,
it is possible to provide a wider living space relative to
the length of a circumference and hence to effectively
utilize land. In addition, since the construction
elements can be standardized, the cost of construction can
be reduced further.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The above and other objects, features and
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advantages of the present invention will become apparent
from the following description and the appended claims,
taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in
which:
FIG. 1 through FIG. 8 are illustrations with
respect to a polygon-shaped house according to a first
embodiment of this invention, namely:
FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view as to a structure
of a foundation frame and columns;
FIG. 2 is a schematic vertical sectional front
elevation illustrating a basic framed structure as a
whole:
FIG. 3 is an explanatory illustration as to the
shape of the foundation frame as viewed in plan;
FIGS. 4(A) through 4(C) are respectively a
schematic plan view, a schematic exploded plan view and a
schematic cross-sectional view taken on line C-C of
FIG. 4(B), all, as to connecting parts in one aspect for
connecting foundation elements;
FIGS. 5(A) and 5(B) are respectively a schematic
transverse sectional plan view and a view similar to
FIG. 4(B), both, illustrating one aspect where a column
is connected further to the connecting parts of FIGS.
4(A) through 4(C);
FIG. 6 is a schematic partial cutway plan view of
the polygon-shaped house;
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FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view
illustrating a connection state of a weighty post member
and angle rafters;
FIG. 8 is an explanatory illustration as to force
exerted on a beam frame due to the load of a roof in the
polygon-shaped house of this invention:
FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view
illustrating a basic framed structure as a whole in a
polygon-shaped two-story house according to a second
embodiment of this invention;
FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view
illustrating a basic framed structure as a whole in a
modification of the second embodiment;
FIG. 11, FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 are respectively a
schematic plan view, a schematic vertical sectional front
view and a schematic vertical sectional side elevation,
all, illustrating a structure of a conventional house;
and
FIGS. 14(A) and 14(B) are explanatory illustrations
as to force exerted on a beam frame due to the load of a
roof in the conventional house
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The embodiments of the present invention will
hereinafter be described specifically.
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In the first embodiment of this invention, a
foundation frame 10 having an octagonal shape as a whole
is constructed by a total of eight linear foundation
elements 11 made of wood as illustrated in FIG. 1 and
FIG. 2. The foundation frame 10 is horizontally
supported on a foundation (not illustrated) of a suitable
structure. Wooden columns 20 are provided respectively
at a total of eight vertices 12 of the foundation frame
so as to stand upright.
10 As schematically illustrated in FIG. 3, the shape
of the foundation frame 10 in this embodiment is a
symmetrical octagonal shape having vertices 12 at a total
of eight points, each of which divides each side of a
square S into three equal parts, said side having a
length of 3a. Therefore, the distance between two
adjacent vertices 12 on one side of the square S is a,
while the distance between mutually-adjacent vertices 12,
which are respectively on two mutually-adjacent sides of
the square S, is fa. Accordingly, the foundation frame
10 is constructed by causing four short elements 11A
having a length of a and four long elements 11B having a
length of fa to connect alternately and in such a manner
that the magnitude of an interior angle at each connected
portion is 135 degrees.
The connection of the short element 11A to the long
element 11B in the foundation frame 10 is done, for
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example, in a manner illustrated in FIGS. 4(A) through
4(C). Namely, the short element 11A and the long element
11B have respectively end faces EA and EB, both, composed
of a plane inclined by 45 degrees to their corresponding
longitudinal directions. In the end face EA of the short
element 11A, a mortise M having a trapezoid shape in
sectional contour is formed so as to extend over its full
height, and in the end face EB of the long element 11B, a
tenon T adapted to fit in the mortise M is projectingly
formed on the lower half portion in its heightwise
direction and a mortise N similar to the mortise M is
formed in the upper half portion in the heightwise
direction.
As illustrated in FIG. 4(A), the tenon T is fitted
in the lower half portion in the heightwise direction of
the mortise M, whereby the short element 11A and the long
element 11B are connected to each other in such a state
that their end faces EA and EB come into contact with
each other and the magnitude of the interior angle B at
the connected portion is 135 degrees, and a mortise R for
connecting a column is defined by the upper half portion
of the mortise M in the shoz~t element 11A and the mortise
N in the long element 11B at the upper half portion in
the heightwise direction of the thus-connected portion
[see FIG. 5(B)].
In the above description, when the mortise M is
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formed in the end face EB of the long element 11B and the
tenon T and the mortise N are formed at the end face EA
of the short element 11A, also, exactly the same
connected state as described above can be achieved and
the same column-connecting mortise R is defined.
On the other hand, as illustrated in FIG. 5(B),
each of the columns 20 has a pentagonal shape in profile,
each vertical angle of said pentagon being 135 degrees.
In each column 20, a projecting tenon W of a shape
adapted to fit in the above-described column-connecting
mortise R is formed on its lower end. As illustrated in
FIGS. 5(A) and 5(B), the projecting tenon W is fitted in
the above column-connecting mortise R, whereby the lower
end of the column 20 is connected to the foundation frame
10 at its corresponding vertex 12 of the frame, so that
the column 20 is provided upright.
As described above, it is possible to connect
suitably three members of two foundation elements 11 and
one column 20 at one connecting portion by utilizing a
part of the mortise for attaining the mortising of
foundation elements at each of connecting portions of the
foundation elements 11 in the foundation frame 10 so as
to connect the lower end of each column 20 to the
foundation frame 10.
On the other hand, as also shown in FIG. 6, a total
of eight wooden linear beam elements 31 are connected to
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one another to construct a beam frame 30 having the same
structure as that of the above-described foundation frame
10, namely, the same octagonal shape as that of the
foundation frame 10. To the beam frame 30, the upper
ends of the above-described eight columns 20 are
connected respectively at their corresponding vertices
32, whereby the beam frame 30 is disposed in parallel to
the foundation frame 10 and thus, horizontally.
Upon the connection of the beam elements 31 to
construct the above beam frame 30, the means for
connecting the foundation elements 11 in the foundation
frame 10, as described above, or any means similar to
this means can be used. In addition, the connection of
the beam frame 30 to the upper ends of the column 20 at
their corresponding vertices 32 of the beam frame 30 can
be conducted by using the above-described means for
connecting the foundation frame 10 and the lower ends of
the columns 20 or any means similar to this means. It is
also possible in this case to connect suitably three
members of two beam elements 31 and one column 20 at one
connecting portion by utilizing a part of the mortise for
attaining the mortising of beam elements at each of
connecting portions of the beam elements 31 in the beam
frame 30 so as to connect the upper end of each column 20
to the beam frame 30 in the same manner as in the
foundation frame 10.
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In the drawings, numeral 40 designates angle
rafters. Each lower end portion of a total of eight
angle rafters 40 is connected to the beam frame 30 at its
corresponding vertex 32 of the beam frame 30 of the
octagonal shape. In addition, the angle rafters 40 are
arranged in a state that their upper ends extend
obliquely and upwardly toward a position over the center
of the beam frame 30 in such a manner that they get
together thereto. Moreover, the upper ends are commonly
connected to a wooden weighty post member 50 having a
relatively heavy weight and an octagonal columnar shape,
whereby the weighty post member 50 is made a state
supported by the upper ends of the angle rafters 40.
As a means for connecting the upper ends of the
angle rafters 40 to the weighty post member 50, it is
preferable to use a usual mortising means. Namely, the
connection may be conducted in the following manner. As
illustrated in FIG. 7, eight angle rafter-connecting
mortises 41 in total are formed in the angular periphery
of the weighty post member 50 and a projection 42 adapted
to be received into the mortise 41 is formed on the upper
end of each angle rafter 40, whereby both mortise and
projection are fitted to each other to join them.
In order to connect the lower end portion of each
of the angle rafters 40 to the beam frame 30, it is only
necessary to use a suitable connecting means in a state
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that the lower end portion is received in its
corresponding recess 43 formed at each vertex 32 of the
beam frame 30 by way of example.
As needed, a purlin 61 and rafters 62 may be
provided connectedly between adjacent angle rafters 40
provided in the above manner. Roof boards 63 made of a
water-resistant plywood by way of example is provided
thereon.
Although not illustrated, openings between
mutually-adjacent columns 20 are closed up by attaching
suitable panels, for example, nonbearing panels or
bearing panels, between the adjacent columns 20. Window-
or exit/entrance-defining openings are provided in
portions of these panels as needed.
The polygon-shaped house constructed in the above-
described manner has a structure that the foundation
frame 10 and the beam frame 30 are the same in their
shape and are symmetrically octagonal, and the upper ends
of the angle rafters 40, whose lower end portions are
connected to the beam frame 30 respectively at their
corresponding vertices 32 of the beam frame 30, are
connected commonly to the weighty post member 50.
Therefore, although the load of the roof exerts
externally expanding and widening force F on the beam
frame 30, as illustrated in FIG. 8, this force F is
symmetrically broken up into every beam element 31 of the
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beam frame 30, i.e., eight directions, through the angle
rafters 40. As a result, the magnitude of force, which
each beam element 31 in the beam frame 30 is to bear,
becomes significantly weak compared to the load of the
roof. Accordingly, in association with the fact that the
beam frame 30 itself is a frame of a polygonal shape,
too, sufficiently high strength can be provided by the
beam frame 30 alone.
As described above, the provision of auxiliary
beams in the beam frame 30 of the polygon-shaped house
according to this invention becomes unnecessary. It is
therefore possible to simplify significantly the
framework as a house structure and at the same time, to
facilitate its construction resulting in the reduction in
construction cost
In addition, since the length of unit beam element
31 may be shorter compared with the case where a square
or rectangular beam frame having the same width in area
is used, higher flexural strength can be provided by the
beam elements 31 themselves.
The house according to this invention is provided
with sufficiently high strength as a whole because the
whole basic framed structure formed of the foundation
frame 10, columns 20, beam frame 30, angle rafters 40 and
weighty post member 50 is in the form of so-called
birdcage. For this reason, it is unnecessary to provide
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any additional columns in the interior of the structure.
In addition, it is also unnecessary to provide any
auxiliary beams as described above. Therefore, the space
within the structure is a wide free space continuous
without mutually dividing it by the level of the beam
frame 30 into the upper space and the lower space and
free of any structural elements. Accordingly, the
interior space of the structure can be utilized at a very
high degree of freedom.
Furthermore, since the basic framed structure has
sufficiently high strength, the panels provided between
columns 20 is not required to exhibit reinforcing
effects. It is hence possible to use nonbearing panels
as panels useful in the practice of this invention.
Needless to say, this does not mean that the use of
bearing panels as such panels is forbidden.
Besides, the usual mortising means as described
above may be used in order to connect the upper ends of
the angle rafters 40 to the weighty post member 50. In
this connection as to the angle rafters 40, namely, the
connection of the upper ends of the angle rafters 40 to
the weighty post member 50 and the connection of the
lower end portions of the angle rafters 40 to the beam
frame 30, even when their connection is somewhat loose,
the looseness at each connected portion of the weighty
post member 50, angle rafters 40 and beam frame 30 is
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absorbed because the weighty post member displaces downward
owing to its own weight, whereby a state connected with
sufficiently high strength is provided. Therefore, the
structure constructed by the weighty post member 50, angle
rafters 40 and beam frame 30 is in a state that they are
combined with one another with sufficiently high strength.
It is hence possible to satisfactorily achieve the
connection related to the angle rafters 40 by relatively
simple connecting means with ease and certainty at a low
lO COSt.
It is preferred that the angle of the slope a (see
FIG. 2) of each angle rafter 40 connecting between the
weighty post member 50 and the beam frame 30 to the
horizontal plane is 60 degrees or lower. This can ensure
providing with sufficiently high strength for the structure
formed of three members of the weighty post member 50,
angle rafters 40 and beam frame 30.
Furthermore, since both foundation frame 10 and beam
frame 30 have an octagonal shape having vertices at a total
of eight points, each pair of adjacent vertices divides
each side of a square into three equal parts, it is
possible to provide a wider living space relative to the
length of a circumference and hence to effectively utilize
land. In addition, supposing that the length of each side
of the square be 3a, it is only necessary to provide each
two types of standardized members, one having a length or
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width of a and the other one a length or width of Via, as
members for the foundation elements, beam elements and
panels provided between the columns 20. Industrial mass
production of these members is hence allowed. The cost
of construction can also be reduced further from this
point.
FIG. 9 illustrates a second embodiment of this
invention. This embodiment is a case where a two-story
polygon-shaped house is constructed.
In the second embodiment, the whole structure is
basically the same as in the first embodiment described
above. It is however different in that columns 25
sufficiently long in height are used instead of the
columns 20 and an intermediate beam frame 70 is provided
at a center level of the columns 25.
The intermediate beam frame 70 serves to provide a
floor face for a second story along it, thereby
permitting the provision of a two-story polygon-shaped
house as a whole.
Described specifically, sufficiently-long wooden
columns 25 are connected to a foundation frame 10
respectively at their corresponding vertices 12 of the
frame so as to stand upright. To the upper ends of the
columns 25, a beam frame 30 is connected respectively at
their corresponding vertices 32. At the vertices 32 of
the beam frame 30, the lower end portions of eight angle
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rafters 40 are respectively connected thereto, while the
upper ends of the angle rafters 40 are connected to a
weighty post member 50.
At the center level of the columns 25, as described
above, a total of eight linear intermediate beam elements
71 made of wood are horizontally connected to one another
so as to bridge between mutually-adjacent columns 25, so
that an intermediate beam frame 70 having the same
octagonal shape as both foundation frame 10 and beam
frame 30 and connected to the columns 25 respectively at
their corresponding vertices 72 is constructed at a level
at which the distance between the foundation frame 10 and
the beam frame 30 is divided into two equal lengths in a
state parallel thereto.
In the above description, mortising by way of
example may preferably be used in order to connect the
intermediate beam elements 71 to the column 25.
In the second embodiment, excellent effects are
also exhibited like the first embodiment. There is thus
provided a two-story polygon-shaped house which is simple
in structure, is easy in construction and permits
reducing the cost of construction.
FIG. 10 illustrates further a modification of the
second embodiment. Compared to the second embodiment,
this embodiment is different in that each of long columns
25 is divided into two pieces of an upper part 25A and an
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lower part 25B, an intermediate beam frame 70 having the
same octagonal shape as that of the foundation frame 10
or the beam frame 30 is constructed by connecting eight
linear intermediate beam elements made of wood in the
same manner as in the construction of the foundation
frame 10 or the beam frame 30, and the intermediate beam
frame 70 is connected at its vertices 72 between the
upper parts 25A and the lower parts 25B of their
corresponding columns 25.
In the above description, it is possible to use the
same connecting means as employed in the construction of
the foundation frame 10, which has been described above,
in order to interconnect the intermediate beam elements
71. Besides, any means similar to that illustrated in
FIG. 5 or other suitable means may be used in order to
connect the intermediate beam frame 70 to the upper part
25A and the lower part 25B of each column 25.
In this modification, excellent effects similar to
those described above are also exhibited. There is thus
provided a two-story polygon-shaped house which is simple
in structure, is easy in construction and permits
reducing the cost of construction.
Having now fully described the invention, it will
be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that many
changes and modifications can be made thereto without
departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as
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set forth herein.
